Proud to be an American!

Memorial Day weekend was a busy one at all Festival Foods stores! In preparation for the holiday we wrote schedules hoping to be spot-on with our staffing to best serve our guests. We placed larger than normal orders to fill our shelves, displays, and service cases in anticipation of the increased traffic at all stores. Those of us working at the checkouts strayed away from our usual uniform to show our support and appreciation for everyone serving our country by wearing flag ties, aprons, and hats.
[caption id="attachment_5818" align="aligncenter" width="203"] Associates at the Darboy store were dressed for the holiday![/caption]
Memorial Day weekend is typically known as the “kick –off to summer” and with gorgeous, summer-like weather forecasted for the three day weekend, we witnessed thousands of families approach the check outs with carts packed full of food to fill the shelves, pantries, refrigerators, and grills at family cabins and homes. It was no surprise that the majority of these carts were full of brats, burgers, cold deli salads, chips, dip, and a wide variety of drink selections from Wine and Spirits.
[caption id="attachment_5819" align="aligncenter" width="259"] Doug Lehman, Fort Atkinson Frozen/Dairy manager and Active Wisconsin National Guardsman is also on the Fort Atkinson VFW Color Guard[/caption]
Through conversations with guests at the checkouts we learned about all the weekend activities people had planned. Some were staying home and doing landscaping and yard work. Others were staying true to their family tradition by heading “up north” to open the cabin and get it ready for summer 2014. Many people who were staying local planned on going to the Memorial Day Parade or celebrating a college or high school graduation
[caption id="attachment_5820" align="aligncenter" width="270"] Our American Heroes Café in Kenosha held a Memorial Day celebration for all Veterans.[/caption]
We did find a common theme in many conversations: people are thankful for all the freedom they have today. It was wonderful to know that no matter what they were doing, people didn’t forget the true reason for Memorial Day. While the current traditions families have in place to celebrate the holiday are important, it is equally important to remember America’s heroes who lost their lives fighting for the freedoms we have today. As evident from our guests, these heroes are gone but will never be forgotten.
[caption id="attachment_5821" align="aligncenter" width="303"] Festival associates and the BIG CART were in the Neenah Memorial Day parade[/caption]